January 31 / 16.29 Newcastle (AW)

16.29

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 116-63 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won three times over C&D late last year and he returned to form when third here ten days ago (Cusack fifth and 2lb better off today); solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Volenti

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Four C&D wins, including when justifying favouritism in January 2025; in reasonable form on turf this time last year (from marks in mid 60s) but has lost his way since then, tumbling down the handicap; latest Ripon fourth (beaten 8l) isn't enough to tempt.

7/1

4th

8

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ripon

Volenti

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Has four wins on Newcastle AW but is only 1-19 on turf; never figured on return to turf when seventh of nine at Pontefract (1m, good) in cheekpieces (left off here) last month; needs to show more.

16/1

7th

8

(7)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Volenti

8st 12lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ben Haslam

Last of his five wins came 15 months ago and he struggled after close fourth over C&D (good to firm) in August; falling mark a help if he can stage a revival after three-month break; market check advised.

20/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 5351-5 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Sometimes slowly away but he capitalised on a drop in the weights to land C&D handicap in December; respectable fifth to Cusack off revised mark here next time; more required if he's to win again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

17:30 Redcar

Paris Lights

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Both wins on AW and 0-18 on turf; a couple of Pontefract runs this spring that bring him into the reckoning and this is effectively his first run at this level since winning at Newcastle in December; should run his race.

7/2

6th

7

(2)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Pontefract

Paris Lights

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-17 on turf; second and third over C&D in the spring off slightly higher marks than this, before lesser efforts elsewhere on last two outings; well treated if back on song.

8/1

6th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

17:30 Doncaster

Paris Lights

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-16 on turf; twice placed at Pontefract this season but he needs to rebound from a lacklustre effort at Ripon (1m2f, good) three weeks ago.

16/1

9/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 8513-5 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won over 7f here in November; below par over same C&D next time and subsequently left Danny Brooke; bit to prove for new stable, including his stamina for this longer distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(1)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 135y

Class 6

15:40 Lingfield

Drafted

9st 6lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Charlie Pike

Three-time AW winner, most recently at Dundalk (7f, AW) in October when trained by Charles Byrnes; third on his stable debut at Chelmsford (7f, AW) in February but he's not built on that in three starts since; unraced on ground slower than good to soft.

12/1

10th

3

(2)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Drafted

9st 9lb

J: Lillie Dingle

T: Charlie Pike

A fair 7f winner in Ireland for Charles Byrnes in 2025 but yet to hit top form for his current yard, only eighth in 6f Wolverhampton handicap 29 days ago; needs to take a step forward.

12/1

8th

11

(3)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Drafted

9st 0lb

J: Lillie Dingle

T: Charlie Pike

7f AW winner for Charles Byrnes in October; satisfactory start for new stable when third of nine at Chelmsford last month but he was unable to build on it at Kempton 11 days ago; others appeal more.

20/1

Form: 5123-3 C BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Likeable mare, effective at 7f/1m and proving tough and consistent; campaigned at Newcastle this winter, making all in December and rallying when third three weeks ago; should give another good account of herself.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 4

14:45 Carlisle

Rebeccas Girl

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Gary Rutherford

Front-runner who won here over 7f last season (first-time blinkers); below her best at Newcastle (the scene of her three other wins) when last seen 103 days ago and now steps into class 4 company for the first time.

12/1

8th

5

(9)

29th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Rebeccas Girl

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Gary Rutherford

Front-runner who has turned in a string of good course runs since November, winning three times; latest second (6f) represented further improvement; another 2lb higher but set to go well again.

9/2

2nd

2

(1)

22nd Mar 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Rebeccas Girl

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Gary Rutherford

Three course wins this winter, including at this trip; solid placed efforts the last twice and likely to go well once again.

4/1

Form: 462-76 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Close second to Paris Lights over C&D just after Christmas, and he wasn't beaten far when sixth of 12 here ten days ago; should be in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wyvern

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Does most racing now at Newcastle, the scene of his last three wins; off for six weeks since finishing well held behind Captain Pickles over C&D.

20/1

12/1

Form: 1514-9 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Looked on the up when bagging a second C&D success in November but she has failed to repeat the form, soundly beaten behind Cusack on latest start; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:29 Newcastle (AW)

Mambha

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

towards rear

12/1

6th

3

(3)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:29 Newcastle (AW)

Mambha

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

towards rear

12/1

9th

2

(3)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Mambha

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Michael Dods

Looked on the up when bagging a second C&D success in November but she came in a well-held fourth of six here 24 days ago; she's worth another chance.

8/1

4/1

Form: 943-15 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Course regular who was winning here for the seventh time when scoring narrowly over C&D 17 days ago, with three of today's rivals unplaced; ran pretty well under a penalty the following week; now 2lb lower and has the bonus of Kaiya Fraser's claim; has his optimum conditions and looks the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

Form: 47/0-6

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Fair 7f winner for Ivan Furtado in May 2023 but well held after absences on last two starts, behind Cusack here on reappearance; difficult to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(5)

1st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

15:30 Musselburgh

Bird Of Play

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Liam Bailey

Without a win since May 2023 and generally very disappointing for current stable since last spring; ran okay behind Purple Martini over C&D two starts ago but still makes only limited appeal; sports refitted cheekpieces and first-time tongue-tie.

20/1

10th

4

(3)

10th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:10 Catterick

Bird Of Play

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Liam Bailey

1-20; continues to ease in the weights, down to a career-low mark, but hasn't shown enough in either of his last two starts (both 7f at Musselburgh) to suggest his turn is imminent; these newly applied blinkers need to work their magic.

11/1

5th

5

(4)

2nd May 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

15:20 Musselburgh

Bird Of Play

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Liam Bailey

in touch with leaders, hung right and weakened gradually inside final furlong

16/1

16/1

Form: 4908-6

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Leicester (7f) in August 2023 when trained by Marcus Tregoning; always towards rear in three runs for current yard (twice slowly away) but his mark has tumbled and he could be dangerous if getting away on terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:12 Ayr

Royal Blaze

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ewan Whillans

His two wins last August/September (including here) came over 1m2f but he travelled well when fourth over 1m1f here (good to firm) on his recent return to action, when short of room close home, and he may have versatility in terms of trip; interesting contender.

11/2

4th

6

(1)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Royal Blaze

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ewan Whillans

Winner over 1m2f at Ayr (good; cheekpieces on) and Newcastle (tongue-tie and cheekpieces) last term; some fair AW runs after that but off since January and perhaps best watched this time (no cheekpieces).

12/1

7

(2)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Royal Blaze

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

Won at Ayr in August and he responded well to a tongue-tie when scoring over C&D the following month; still looks feasibly treated but he flopped here (last of nine) and needs to bounce back after that laboured effort.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.40
Straight Forecast £20.13
Tricast £328.25
Trifecta £170.10

Selections

POSTDATA:

Volenti

The Times:

Rebecca's Girl

SPOTLIGHT:

Cusack

D Express:

Wyvern

The Guardian:

Rebecca's Girl

Daily Record:

Rebecca's Girl

Telegraph:

Volenti

Daily Mirror:

Volenti

The Sun:

Volenti

The Star:

Wyvern

RP RATINGS:

Cusack

Daily Mail:

Cusack